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Introduction to the Future Leaders Fellowship

The Bridging Divides Future Leaders Fellowship is a prestigious, year-long program designed to foster the professional development of senior PhD candidates and early career postdoctoral scholars. This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to engage in impactful research, receive mentorship from established academics, and contribute to innovative, interdisciplinary migration research.

Objectives

• To promote and expand scholarly collaboration between junior and senior researchers from institutions beyond the Bridging Divides network.
• To facilitate the development of innovative research projects that address critical issues at the intersection of migration and advanced digital technologies (ADTs) within the four Bridging Divides thematic groups, including:
  • Immigrant Health and Wellbeing
  • Employment and Lifelong Learning
  • Place and Infrastructure
  • Citizenship and Participation
• To enhance professional growth through structured mentorship, expanded networks, and engagement with the broader Bridging Divides community.

Fellowship Structure

The Future Leaders Fellowship begins with a five-day in-person visit to Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), where fellows will meet their mentor, shape their research project, and engage in networking activities. Over the following year, fellows will return to their home institutions to carry out their research under the guidance of their mentor, with regular check-ins to track progress and address challenges. The fellowship culminates in the production of a peer-reviewed journal article and the presentation of research findings at a major international conference, providing fellows with a valuable platform to share their work with the broader academic community.

Eligibility

The Future Leaders Fellowship is open to PhD candidates who have completed a first draft of their dissertation and postdoctoral scholars (maximum five years post PhD) based anywhere in the world who are interested in pursuing research that aims to produce innovative and practical knowledge by exploring the relationship between Advanced Digital Technologies and immigrant integration in Canada and beyond. Applicants from Bridging Divides partner universities are not eligible. Research interests may be aligned with questions around health equity, economic integration, emerging smart infrastructure technologies, and civic and political participation, among other topics. To apply, you must be affiliated with an academic institution.

Application Requirements

To apply for the Future Leaders Fellowship, applicants must submit:

• A 1-page Cover Letter
• A 2-page research proposal that aligns with one of the four Bridging Divides themes, clearly outlining research objectives, methodology, and anticipated outcomes, and naming a preferred TMU Bridging Divides mentor
• A 4-page Curriculum Vitae (CV) detailing academic background, research experience, and relevant achievements
• One reference letter from an academic supervisor or professional who can speak to research capabilities and suitability for the fellowship

Application Deadline and Timeline

Applications are due by June 1, 2025. Successful candidates will be notified by July 1, 2025. The Future Leaders Fellowship will launch in September 2025 with a visit to TMU. Fellows are expected to have draft papers ready to submit for peer-review and conference presentations by June 2026. A second start date, beginning January 2026 through November 2026, will be available for candidates unable to start in September.

Fellowship Benefits

Selected fellows will receive up to $18,000 in benefits, including:

• A stipend of $5,000 paid in two installments: $3,000 at the start of the fellowship and $2,000 upon successful completion and submission of a journal article
• Full coverage of travel expenses, including a per diem and accommodations, to Toronto Metropolitan University for the initial five-day visit
• Coverage of travel expenses, including a per diem and accommodations, to attend the conference where the research will be presented, along with conference registration fees
• Open Access Publication fees

Key Details

• Apply by: June 1, 2025
• Duration: One year
• Fellowship amount: up to $18,000 in benefits
• Open to: PhD candidates and postdoctoral scholars
• Bridging Divides: A research program exploring the intersection of migration and advanced digital technologies.